Taxi operators want to put up fares in Weymouth and Portland
They say it's to help drivers with rising costs
Taxi fares in Weymouth and Portland could soon become more expensive – if an application for change is accepted.
Hackney Carriage operators say that smaller, more frequent, increases to help meet rising costs are likely to be more acceptable to the public and fairer to drivers.
Dorset councillors are this week (24 May) being asked to consider a rise in maximum fares and minor changes to the way waiting times are calculated together with the use of automatic meters linked to a calendar and time function.
The making of meters automatic has not been recommended by council officers who say there is case law which does allow taxi operators to charge less than the local maximum rate, or to decide to set a lower rate on their meter, if they choose.
Similar fare increase applications have been successful in recent months in the neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area.
Outside the BCP area Dorset has two taxi zones with Weymouth and Portland having its own designated area, slightly different from the rest of the county.
Fares south of the Ridgeway were last changed in April 2022, along with the rest of the Dorset Council area.
Said a report to the licensing committee: “The Weymouth Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Association have requested a further small rise this year, as they believe that smaller annual increases are accepted by the travelling public better than infrequent larger ones.”
Most of the hackney carriage operators who responded to the proposals backed the request, although not all, one arguing that many clients will not be able to afford the increase and, at the moment, fuel prices have been falling, reducing operating costs.
How much would fares increase?
The effect of the proposed rise for a five-mile journey from 7am to 11pm would see an increase in the maximum charge from £16 to £16.70 and for the same length trip between 11am and 7am from £18.60 to £19.30. Higher charges apply, ranging from 50 per cent more to double, depending on which public holiday it is, with variations in charges for the number of people, pets and luggage being carried.
One of the operators has also asked that the higher, night rate, be applied from 10pm rather than 11pm, which will also be considered by the committee.
If the Licensing Committee agree to set the maximum tariff as requested a public consultation lasting two weeks will take place – with the item brought back to the committee should any public comments be received. If no comments are forthcoming it is recommended that the new tariff comes into effect on 1 July 2023.